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Wells friends, colleagues pay tribute to mayor, broadcaster

Contributed photo Bob Wells, former mayor of Middletown has died. he was 76.

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By Eric Robinette, Staff Writer Updated 8:27 PM Monday, July 6, 2009

Tributes poured in Monday, July 6 for Bob Wells, the former mayor of Middletown who passed away on Sunday at the age of 76.

“One of the things I’ll truly miss about him was I had a rapport with him,” said William “Kip” Moore, who served with Wells on city council. “He had a great knowledge of the city and was just a wealth of information for me.”

Moore felt a personal connection to Wells because Wells and Moore’s mother Geraldine graduated from Middletown High School in 1952.

“He was always an honest guy. He truly loved Middletown and that’s what I’ll miss — his passion and love for the city,” Moore said.

Bill Becker, the former Middletown city manager and police chief, said Wells “was a true friend of mine. I think he was a true believer in Middletown and he really loved the city and he always worked for the betterment of the city. I know he’s going to be missed by family and many friends.”

Councilman Anthony “Tony” Marconi, who served with Wells, said, “What I remember about him was he really cared about Middletown. He actually loved the city, and he was a great public servant also ... He and I didn’t always see eye-to-eye on council, but I always respected him as a colleague.”

Wells worked for WHIO-TV in Dayton as a director/producer from 1969 to 1990, and his colleagues there remembered him fondly.

Anchor Cheryl McHenry, who knew Wells during her early days as a reporter in the 1980s, said “He was always nice to be around. He was never intimidating. It’s a real loss and I’m sorry to hear of his passing.”

Ted Ryan, an on-air personality at WHIO, recalled traveling extensively with Wells, going to California to work on interviews with CBS TV stars. Learning of Wells’ death was “like getting hit in the pit of your stomach with a sledgehammer,” he said.

“He was one of the most dedicated people I ever met ... Bob was more than a professional — he was a friend,” Ryan said.

Wells was a veteran of the United States Air Force, serving in the Korean War. He was also a member of the American Legion, the Middletown Moose Lodge, and the Elks Lodge. He served as a volunteer at Middletown Regional Hospital and was on the Veterans War Memorial Committee.

Ann Mort, who worked with Wells in various capacities over the years and ran his campaign for office, said “He was special. He was a neat guy. He always wanted to do what was right for Middletown. Public service took a toll, and it was tough for him, but he took it on rather well.”

Nancy Nix, the Butler County treasurer and former city councilwoman, said, “His heart was always in the right place. He was such a kind and giving soul and he’s going to be greatly missed ... he was just a dear man.”

Butler County Common Pleas and former Middletown mayor Noah Powers, who served on city council with Wells, said he was surprised to hear of his friend’s passing.

“I was in the parade on the Fourth and I saw him sitting in the crowd. I knew he had been having some problems and I thought how good it was to see him. He must be feeling better,” Powers said.

Contact this reporter at (513) 705-2836 or erobinette@coxohio.com.

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